Another week, another free hit guide. Gameweek 34 is also a popular week for the free hit chip, with six teams blanking.
In this article, we look at our favourite teams and players featuring in gameweek 34 and put together a draft.
Teams and Players to Target on Free Hit
Liverpool:
Liverpool host a Crystal Palace side who have two eyes on their Conference League semi-final.
Mohamed Salah (£14.0m) could be a popular captain as many look to the FPL king this week for one last dance. Back-to-back goals in the league have reminded people what Salah is capable of. He is certainly looking more like himself, taking 14 shots and recording four big chances in the last six despite only starting four. He will be looking to end his last Premier League season strongly.
Virgil Van Dijk (£6.2m) will be a lock in most free hit teams, especially off the back of his winner in the derby. This has taken his goal tally to four this season, with all coming since gameweek 23. Palace did not look like scoring on Monday, recording just 0.73xG, so if they are similarly quiet at the weekend, a clean sheet could be on the cards.
Arsenal:
As their grip on the title starts to slip, Arsenal will be looking to bounce back against a struggling Newcastle side in gameweek 34.
Gabriel Magalhaes (£7.1m) was fortunate not to be sent off against City, but will be a popular pick on the free hit. In the four games running up to gameweek 33, Gabriel had averaged 8.25 points per 90. As Newcastle visit the Emirates in gameweek 34, it would not be surprising at all to see similar figures again for the Brazilian, who has every avenue to points a centre back could wish for.
Tottenham:
While things are looking dire for Spurs, a visit to the newly relegated Wolves, who have conceded seven in the last two weeks, is a chance for them to build some momentum.
Dominic Solanke (£7.2m) appears to be De Zerbi’s number 9. While his numbers have hardly been anything groundbreaking, the Wolves fixture is too good to turn down. He potentially has penalties in his locker, making him a standout forward option in a gameweek without many great fixtures from an attacking standpoint.
Xavi Simons (£6.5m) could have played his way into the starting XI again against Wolves with his performance against Brighton. The goal and assist were no less than he deserved. He takes some set pieces, and as Spurs prepare for the best attacking fixture of the week, it might be a great opportunity to punt on Xavi.
Micky Van de Ven (£4.4m) could stand to benefit from Wolves’ poor record at defending set pieces. In the last six, Wolves are third for most attempts conceded from such situations. Van de Ven has four goals this season for Spurs and will be a target for them to aim for. Wolves have no goals in their last two, so an unlikely clean sheet for Tottenham could beckon.
Manchester United:
The Red Devils came up with a huge win in gameweek 33 in their push for Champions League football. They host a Brentford side on a run of five consecutive draws.
Bruno Fernandes (£10.3m) needs very little said about him. He is certain to be the most popular captain given his home form under Carrick. Bruno has returned in every match at Old Trafford since gameweek 22, and there is little reason that this shouldn’t continue this week. He has taken 16 shots in his last six games and recorded three big changes.
Matheus Cunha (£8.0m) is another Man United asset taking a lot of shots at the moment. It is 15 in the last six for Matheus Cunha, who appears to be the most nailed United attacking asset behind Bruno. The Brazilian has three goals and an assist in his last six.
West Ham:
Are putting the pressure on Tottenham as they continue in their fight for safety. They host an Everton side who will be without Jarrad Branthwaite.
Jarrod Bowen (£7.7m) continues to be West Ham’s talisman and their main hope if they are going to stay up this season. While the performance against Palace on Monday was nothing to write home about, he still has all the avenues to points that afforded him a 14-point haul in gameweek 32. Penalties, defcon and set pieces can help him score points in any given week, even without any opportunities in open play.
Konstantinos Mavropanos (£4.4m) has three goals in his last four, and could have made it four in four but for a great Dean Henderson save in gameweek 33. Nuno appears to be putting his stamp on this West Ham side, who have now kept a clean sheet in each of their last two games. Their opponents in gameweek 34 have not exactly been prolific in front of goal this season.
Mads Hermansen (£4.2m) has become Nuno’s choice in goal since gameweek 25, during which time no other keeper has scored more points. He is a budget-friendly option who comes with plenty of clean sheet and save potential.
Honourable Mentions:
Igor Thiago (7.4m) is still in the hunt for the golden boot and is third in the league for non-penalty xG in the last six. It is easy to include him, considering he also has penalty duties as we well know.
Michael Keane (£4.5m) will come in for the injured Branthwaite, and provides defcon, clean sheet potential and is always a goal threat. If West Ham fail to produce much in the attacking third, he could stand to profit.
Harry Wilson (£6.0m) has had the season of his life, but fallen off a bit recently, with just the one goal in his last five. We know what he has been capable of this year, and Villa may have an eye on their Europa League campaign now that a top-five finish looks so secure.
Morgan Gibbbs-White (£7.5m) comes into gameweek 34 off the back of a hat-trick and is sure to be popular as a result. He is seventh for both shots and shots in the box over the last six, and should still be on penalties for Forest.
Gameweek 34 Free Hit Draft
